Lock washer

ABSTRACT

A lock washer comprising a length of wire of substantially trapezoidal or parallelogram cross section formed into a helical configuration, the lock washer having a radially directed slit at a predetermined angle to the axis thereof, whereby the ends of the lock washer define inclined abuttingly engageable surfaces, the lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer surfaces inclined relative to the axis thereof, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis thereof, whereby the lock washer originally assumes a helical configuration but upon tightening of an associated bolt, stud, nut, or the like, the helix of the lock washer is removed and the lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration and is thereby adapted to exhibit the superior tightening characteristics of a conical lock washer.

United States Patent Sparks 1 *Aug. 1, 1972 [54] LOCK WASHER 1,908,215 9/1933 Berge ..151/36 X 1,929,808 10/1933 Cataline ..151/36 X [72] f' 2,765,834 10/1956 Poupitch ..151/36 x Asslgneer Knoeke & Associates 2,779,375 1/1957 O'Connor ..151/37 Notice: The portion of the term of this OTHER PUBLICATIONS patent subsequent to Sept. 8, 1987, has been disclaime Railroad Gazette, The National Lock Washer,

Mar. 30, 1880. [22] Filed: Sept. 4, 1970 N 69 874 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts [211 App 0 Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 734,117, June 3, [57] ABSTRACT 1968, Pat. No. 3,527,279, which is a ontin A lock washer comprising a length of wire of substantion-in-part of Ser. NO. 503,550, 061. 23, 1965, Iially trapezoidal 9r parallelogram cross section abandoned. formed into a helical configuration, the lock washer having a radially directed slit at a predetermined angle 52 U.S. c1. ..151/36, 151/37 to the axis thereof. r y the ends of the lock 51 Int. Cl. ..Fl6b 39/24, Fl6b 39/26 washer define inclined abuttinsly ensaseable surfaces. [58] Field f Search 5135 37 3 5 5 the lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer /51; 10/73, A, 155 R surfaces inclined relative to the axis thereof, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions inclined 56 R f CM radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis 1 e "was thereof, whereby the lock washer originally assumes a UNITED STATES PATENTS helical configuration but upon tightening of an associated bolt, stud, nut, or the like, the helix of the gq lock washer is removed and the lock washer assumes a 2779376 l 1957 i i 151/37 generally conical configuration and is thereby adapted 1 oup'tc to exhibit the superior tightening characteristics of a 329,738 11/1885 Harvey ..151/36 conical lock washer. 982,763 l/19ll Blakey ..151/36 X 1,655,018 l/l928 Loutrel ..151/36 26 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB' 1 I9 2 3.680.619

SHEET 1 0F 3 INVENTOP.

flare 75 5 4/13.

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LOCK WASHER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of US. application Ser. No. 734,117, filed June 3, 1968, for Lock Washer, now US. Pat. No. 3,527,279, which is acontinuation-in-part of US. patent application, Ser. No. 503,550, filed Oct. 23, 1965, for Lock Washer, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to lock washers of the type .adapted to be interposed between a bolt head or nut and the adjacent surface of an. associated workpiece, and which functions to exert a resilient force against the head of the bolt or the nut to maintain the fastener load applied by the bolt to the workpiece. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel split helical conical lock washer which is particularly adapted for applications of .theabove character.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel lock washer which exhibits the desirable characteristics of both helical and conical type lock washers.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a newand improved lock washer which exhibits the superior locking characteristics of conical lock washers and the desirable cost advantages provided by helical lock washers. That is, the lock washer of this invention provides the superior locking action of conical lock washers but is adapted to be manufactured from wire stock on a conventional helical washer coiling machine rather than being stamped out from flat strip stock, as is the case with conventional conical lock washers, thereby minimizing material waste and'tool maintenance to the extreme.

It is another object of the present invention lOxpfO- vide a novel lock washer of theabove characterwhich is adapted to be preassembled on the shank of an associated fastening means, such as a bolt, stud, or the like, by elastic expansion of the washer, .and be maintained thereon by a slight interference fit withthe threaded portion of the bolt or stud, thereby obviating the heretofore known practice of rolling threads on the associated fastening means after the lock washer has been assembled thereon.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel lock washer of the above character wherein the split ends of the washer are cut at a predetermined complementary angle and abut or cam against one another upon tightening of the associated fastening means.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide a novel lock washer of the above character whose upper side, when flattened, is complementary in shape with respect to the adjacent side of an associated fastening means, whereby to provide an interlocking or keystone effect to prevent spreading of the washer, this construction further. assuring surface-to-surface or contiguous contact at the opposite sides of the washer.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a novel lock washer of the above character which will not tend to embed itself into the surface of the work in which it engages or into the adjacent side of the associated fastening means, thereby minimizing the possibility of losses in fastener loading.

Other objects'and advantages of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description taken. in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view,.partially broken away, of a lock washer incorporating the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. .Zis a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the lock washer illustrated in FIG. I in operaaway, of a modified embodiment of a lock washer incorporating the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is aside elevational view, partially broken away, of the lock washer illustrated in FIG. 4 in operative association with a .pair of workpieces and associated fastening means which is in a semi-tightened or seated configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates the lock washer and associated fastening means shown in FIG. 5 in a substantially tightened or seated condition;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a lock washer embodying the principles of the present invention in operative association with a bolt and nut, the latter of which is in a semi-tightened or seated configuration;

FIG-8 is a view similarto'FIG. 7 showing a lock washer of the present invention and associated nut in a substantially tightened orseated condition;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the lock washer of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the lock washer illustrated in FIG. 9,-as shown in operative association with a pair of workpieces and an associated fastening means having a nut mounted thereon, with the nut being in a semi-tightened or seated configuration;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to FIG.. 10 showing the nut in asubstantially tightened or seated condition;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of yet-another embodiment'of a lock washer embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG..13 is aside elevational view of another embodiment of a .lock washer of the present invention, as

shown in operative association with a pairof workpieces and an associated fastening means having a nut thereon which is in a semi-tightened orseated configuration, and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the nut in a substantially tightened or seated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OFTI-IE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, a lock washer l0, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is shown in operative association with a bolt 12 comprising a generally through an aperture 22 which is slightly larger in diameter than the portion 18 and is formed in a flat or planar workpiece 24. The bolt 12 functions to fixedly secure the workpiece 24 to an associated workpiece 26 by threadably engaging the lower end portion 20 thereof within an internally threaded aperture 28 in the workpiece 26.'Generally speaking, the lock washer of the present invention is adapted to be interposed between'the upper side of the workpiece 24 and the underside of the bolt head section 14 and function to maintain the fastener load applied to the workpieces 24, 26 by the bolt 12, in a manner hereinafter to be described. 7 a

By way of explanation, thedistance T in FIG. 2 may be termed the grip thickness of the assembled workpieces 24 and'26. Normally, the bolt 12 securing the workpieces 24, 26 to one another is tightened until it reaches substantially its'proof load, that is, the load assigned by engineering standards as that which a bolt of specified dimensions and material is capable of assuming without permanent deformation. In most instances, the thickness T will decrease in time due to such factors as embedding of the bolt 12 into the workpieces, yielding of foreign particles and thread surfaces, or surface irregularities between the bolt 12 and workpieces 24,

- 26, or the cold'flow of the assembled members. This .reduction in grip thickness will result in a reduction in elongation of the bolt 12 and thus a reduction in the remaining bolt load or force holding the workpieces 24, 26 together. This, of course, increases the possibility for relative movement between the workpieces 24 and 26 which may, under certain circumstances, cause repeated stressing of the bolt 12 increasing the possibility of fatigue failure. The lock washer 10, in accordance with the present invention, is adapted to provide a'relatively higher proportion of the fastener load to. be retained upon a given reduction in the grip thickness T, as compared with the load which would be retained with other assembly, lock washers heretofore known and used. a

Referring now in detail to the construction of a lock washer l0,'as best seen in FIG. 1, the washer 10 is formed of a single length of wire stock which is generally, although not necessarily, trapezoidal-shaped in cross section and defines coaxially arranged parallel inner and outer surfaces 30 and 32, and inclined spaced non-parallel upper and lower surfaces 34 and 36,

respectively, which result in the washer l0 appearing to be generally frusto-conically shaped in side elevational view, as seen in FIG. 1. Preferably, the surfaces 34 and 36 slope at an angle of between approximately 3 and 8 from a plane transverse to the axis of the bolt shank section 16, with the slope of the upper surface being greater than that of the lower surface. The outer diameter of the lock washer l0 is'usually greater than the maximum diameter of the bolts head section 14, i.e.,

' greater than the distance across the flats of the bolt head. In situations where the diameter of the upper shank portion 18 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the lower shank portion 20, the inner diameter of the lock washer l0 may be slightly smaller I than the diameterofthe portion 18 when the washer I0 is in an unstressedcondition,whereby the washer. may be elastically expanded and inserted onto the shank portion 18 and be maintained thereon by a slight intershank portion 18, be formed on the bolt 12, whereby to accommodate various assembly packaging and stock handling practices. In situations where the diameter of .the shank portion 18 is less than the diameter of the lower threaded portion 20, no interference fit between the inner diameter of the washer 10 and the shank portion 18 is necessary since the larger thread diameter retains the washer 10 on the bolt 12.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the lock washer 10, together with being generally frusto-conical in shape, is of a generally helical configuration and is thus split at one radial portion thereof, the split defining a pair of flat radially directed face portions 38 and 40. By virtue of this split helical construction, the washer 10 of the present invention is adapted to be" manufactured from wire stock on a'conventional helical washercoiling machine rather than from flat strip stock which is stamped out. In the latter case, approximately 50 percent of the stock is lost as waste, whereas in the present case, there is virtually no waste nor any stamping or forming dies to maintain. It may be noted that in the manufacture of the lock washer 10 by the aforesaid wire coiling technique, the wire stock may be initially formed such that the edge thereof which ultimately constitutes the radially outer edge of the washer 10 is slightly thicker than the opposite edge which constitutes the radially inner edge of the washer 10. The reason for this is that the edge of the wire that is formed into the outer edge of the washer l0 becomes slightly thinner upon being formed or coiled into the helical configuration of the finished washer 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. It may be noted that this technique constitutes no material part of the applicants invention and is mentioned herein merely to clarify the descriptive portion of the specification.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the underside of the bolts head section 14 is formed with a frusto-conical surface portion 42 that is inclined upwardly toward'the upper end of the shank portion 18 at preferably the same angle as the upper end of the surface 34 of the lock washer 10, when the washer 10 is substantially tightened or seated, thus the underside of the bolt head section 14 is complementary in shape with respect to the upper side of the lock washer 10, whereby to provide an interlocking or keystone effect between the bolt head section 14 and the washer 10. As the bolt 12 is tightened from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the complementary surfaces 34 and 42 prevent the washer 10 from spreading or deforming radially outwardly and thus maintain lock washer 10 to spread or deform radially outwardly a small amount. Accordingly, the interference fit which is provided between the radially inner surface 30 of the lock washer and the outer periphery of the shank portion 18 of the bolt 12 is relieved so that the bolt 12 may be tightened. against the upper surface of the workpiece 24 without interference. The above angular construction of the radial slit defining the face portions 38 and 40 also assures that these face portions are in firm contact with one another upon tighteningof the'bolt 12, whereby to assure that the conical locking action of the lock washer 10 is maintained.

In a preferred construction of the lock washer 10 of the present invention, the slit defining the radially directed face portions 38 and 40 is formed by shearing the wire stock from which the washer 10 is constructed in an axial direction. The reason'for this is that when the wire stock is sheared, the sheared ends tend to spread slightly. It has been found that if the shearing is done in an axial direction, the spread will be in a radial direction and, conversely, if the shearing is done in a radial direction, the spread will be in an axial direction. Since it isundesirable to have any spread in the axial direction due to the fact that such spreading minimizes area contact between the confronting surfaces of the workpiece 24 and the underside of the bolt head section 14, the shearing should be done in an axial direction, resulting in the spread being in a radial direction which is of no appreciable consequence.

Upon assembling the bolt 12 with the lock washer 10 operatively mounted thereon, but bolt 12 is tightened to approximately its assigned elastic proof load, from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, whereby the lower surface portion 36 of the lock washer 10 will be flattened against the upper surface of the workpiece 24. Upon a reduction in the grip thickness T, the lock washer 10 will tend to return toward its original unstressed shape illustrated in FIG. 2, and in doing so will maintain to a substantial extent, the proof load on the bolt l2and therefore'the force tending to hold the workpieces 24 and 26 together.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6, a lock washer 100, constructed in'accordance with a modified embodiment of the present invention, is shown in operative association with a bolt 102 and workpieces 104 and 106. The lock washer 100 is substantially identical in construction and operation to the hereinbefore described lock washer 10, with the exception that the upper surface 108 thereof is formed with an annular upwardly projecting shoulder portion 110 adjacent its radially inner side, herein designated by the numeral 112 and corresponding to the surface 30 of the lock washer 10. The surface 108, together with a corresponding lower surface 1 14 which is analogous to the surface 36 of the lock washer 10, is preferably sloped at an angle of approximately 3 to 8 from a plane transverse to the axis of the bolt 102, as described in connection with the lock washer 10.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the underside of the bolts head section, designated by the numeral 116, terminates at its radially inner edge in an upwardly extending annular recess 118 which is complementary to and is adapted to contiguously receive the shoulder portion 110 of the lock washer 100, such that the hereinbefore described interlocking or keystone" cfpair of workpieces 208 and.2l0. Thev lock washer-200 may be constructed on:the above described type of helical washer coiling machine. and includes. coaxially arranged parallel inner and outer surfaces 212 and 214, a, flat lowersurface. 216v andv a radially outwardly and downwardlyinclinedupper surface 218. The diameter of the nut201 ispreferably. smaller than the outside diameter of the lock washer 200, the nut 201 being formed with an annular recessed portion 220'around the lower endthereof for the support of the washer 200. More particularly, ,the recessed portion 220is defined by an axially extending cylindricalwall 222 which terminates at its upper end in a radially outwardly and downwardly-inclined surface'portion 224. Preferably the diameter of the wall 222 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter ofthe washer200 and the surface portion 224 ispreferably inclined at substantially the same angle as the upper surface 218 of the lock washer200 when the. latter is in a substantially tightened or seated condition shown in-FIG. 8, whereby the surfaces224 and 218 are complementary inshape to provide the aforedescribed interlocking or keystone effect between the lock washer 200 and nut 201.

The lock washer 200 is secured to the lower side of the nut 201 and more. particularlythe inner peripheral portion of the washer 200 is retained within the recessed portion 220 of the nut. 201 by flaring or feathering the. lower end section of .the nut20l radially outwardly in a manner such that at least a small portion of. the lowerend of the nut20l underlies or extends radially outwardlybeneath the inner peripheral section of the lock washer 200, as indicated at.'226 in FIGS. 7 and 8. It may be noted thatprior to flaring the lower end of the nut 201, asabove described, the washer 200 is first compressed sufficientlyin an axial direction to remove thehelix therefrom, the washer 200 thereafter being assembled onto the nut 201 and being permanently maintained thereon .in a substantially nonhelical configuration.

Upon assembling the unitized assembly comprising thenut 201 andlock washer 200 on the stud 202, the

nut 201 is tightened until the stud 202 reaches its approximate elastic proof load, from the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 8, whereby the lower surface portion 216 of the washer 200 will be'flattened against the upper surface of the workpiece 208. Upon a reduction in the grip thickness, the lock washer 200 will tend to return toward its original unstressed shape illustrated in FIG. 7, and in doing so will maintain to a substantial extent, the proof load on the stud 202, as above described.

FIG. 9/ illustrates another embodiment of the lock washer of the present invention which is generally designated by the numeral 300. The lock washer 300 is formed with radially spaced inner and outer surface portions 302 and 304 and with axially spaced upper and lower surface portions 306 and 308. As illustrated, the inner and outer surface portions 302, 304 extend radially outwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of the lock washer 300, while the upper and lower surface portions 306,- 308 extend radially inwardly and upwardly withrespect to the axis of the lock washer 300. In a preferred construction of the lock washer 300, the surface portions 302, 304 are parallel, as are the surface portions306, 308, with the inner and outer surface portions 302, 304 being perpendicular or lying at right angles with respect to the surface portions 306 and 308, resulting in the lock washer 300 being substantially rectangular-shaped in transverse cross section.

v The lock washer 300 is formed with a radially directed slit and assumes a generally helical configuration in an unstressed condition in substantially the same manner as the hereinabove described lock washer 10, with the slit defining a pair of radially extending abuttingly engageable surfaces 310 and 313. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lock washer 300 is adapted to be operatively associated with a pair of workpieces 312 and 314 which are secured together by means of a suitable mounting stud or bolt 316 having an externally threaded upper end portion 318 upon which a conventional nut or the like 320 is threadably received. The stud 316 is adapted to extend through a pair of coaxially aligned openings or bores 322 and 324 formed in the workpieces 312, 314, respectively, with the lock washer 300 being interposed between the lower side of the nut 320 and the adjacent side of the workpiece 312'.

In' accordance with the principles of the present invention, the workpiece 312 is formed with an annular recessed portion or counterbore 326 which islocated coaxially of the bores 322, 324. The size of the counterbore 326 is selected to be substantially equal in diameter to the size of the lock washer 300 when said lock washer 300 is disposed in a substantially stressed condition, as illustrated in FIG. 11, whereby. the outer peripheral edge portion 328 of the counterbore 326 will function as a means for preventing radially outward expansion of the lock washer 300 upon tightening of the nut 320 on the end portion 318 of the stud 316.

As will be apparent, upon assembly of the workpieces 312, 314, the stud 316 is initially inserted through the bores 322, 324 and the lock washer300 is surmounted over the end portion 318 of the stud 316 and nestingly received within the counterbore 326, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Thereafter, the nut 320 is threadably advanced along the stud 316, whereby to compress the lock washer 300 a slight amount and thereby remove the helix therefrom, with the resultthat the lock washer 300 will assume the conical configuration shownrin FIG. 10.1Upon-further advancement of the nut 320,the lock washer 300 will be compressed or flattened to the position shown in FIG. 11, with the edge portion 328 functioning to prevent the lock washer 300 from expanding radially outwardly in the same manner as the inclined surface portion 42 of the bolt 12, whereby the lock washer 300 will function to positively maintain the nut 320 in the tightened or seated position shown in FIG. 1 l.

present invention wherein a lock washer 400 is shown as comprising radially spaced inner and outer surface portions 402 and 404, respectively, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions 406 and 408, respectively. The surface portions 402 and404 are preferably parallel to one another and extend radially inwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of the lock washer 400, and in a similar manner, the surface portions 406 and 408 are parallel to each other and extend radially inwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of the lock washer 400. The lock washer 400 is formed with a radially directed slit that defines abuttingly engageable end portions 410 and 412 which are adapted to engage-one another in the same manner as the face portions .38 and 40 of the lock washer'l0.- The lock washer 400 is sub stantially identical in construction and operation to the lock washer 300, with the exception that the surface portions 402, 404 are not arranged at right angles with respect to the surface portions 406, 408, with the result that the lock washer 400 is generally parallelogramshaped in tramverse section instead of being rectangular in shape as is the lock washer 300.

FIGS.-13 and 14 illustrate the hereinabove described lock washer 10 in operative association with a pair of workpieces 500 and 502 which are adapted to be secured to one another by means of a suitable bolt or stud member '504 havingan externally threaded upper end portion 506. The stud member 504 extends through coaxially aligned openings or bores 508 and 510 formed in the workpieces 500 and $02, respectively, and a suitable nut 512 is threadably received upon the upper end portion 506 of the stud 504. As previously described, the lockv washer 10, 'when in an unstressed condition, assumes a generally helical configuration, with the upper and lower surfaces 34 and 36 extending radially inwardly and upwardly, with the result that when the nut 512 is threadably advanced along the end portion 506 of the stud 504, the helix of the lock washer 10 will be removed or flattened as the adjacent end portions thereof move into substantial axial alignment, with the result that the lock washer 10 will thereafter assume the conical configuration illustrated in FIG. 13. Upon further tightening of the nut 512, the lock washer 10 will be biased from the position illustrated in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14 wherein the lower surface portion 36 thereof contiguously engages a surface portion 514 defined by the upper side of the workpiece 500. t

It will be noted that although the underside of the nut 512 is not formed with any radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface adapted to contiguously engage the inclined upper surface portion 34 of the lock washer 10, and further that the workpiece 500 is not formed with any counterbore or the likesuch as the t the nut 512 from the position shown in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14. Accordingly, use of the lock washer 10 is not necessarily limited to operative association with a bolt head or nut having means thereon for preventing radial expansion of the lock washer, or

to an application wherein the adjacent workpiece is provided with a counterbore or similar functioning means for limiting radial outward expansion of the lock washer. Thus, for certain applications the lock washer 10, as well as either of the lock washers 200, 300m 400, of the present invention, may find particularly useful application in operative association with conventional bolts, studs, and nuts and function in amanner hereinabove described in positively and effectively maintaining the proof load on such bolts, studs or nuts.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A lock washer comprising a length of wire formed into a helical configuration,

said lock washer being formed with a generally radially directed slit at a predetermined angle tothe axis of said lock washer, whereby the'end portions of said lock washer define inclined abuttingly engageable surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition,

said lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions inclined radially outwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of said lock washer, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions joining the axial extremities of said inner and outer surfaces,

said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed and partially stressed condition, whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment with said inclined surfaces abuttingly engaged, said abuttingly engaged inclined surface causing said end portions to cooperatively rotate uponfurther stressing to bias said lower surface portion to a position substantially perpendicular to the axis of said lock washer when the same is in a substantially stressed conditron.

2. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.

3. A lock washer as defined in claim 2 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular shaped in transverse section.

4. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.

5. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater-than that .of said lower surface portion,

said upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said-inner surface portion'and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion.

6. In combination in anassembly for fastening first and second members together,

means on said first member defining a threaded aper- 'ture,

means on said second-memberdefining an enlarged head portion and a shank portion adapted to be 'threadablyreceived within said aperture,

a lock washer interposedbetween said "headportion and said means'defining said aperture for limiting relativemovement between said members,

said lock-washer being formed with a, generally radially .directed slit at a predetermined angle to the 'axis'of'said lock washer, whereby the end portions :of said lock washer defineinclinedsurfaces which an axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition,

said lock washer'further'having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions and upper and lower surface portions and assuming a generally helical configurationin an unstressed condition,

said .upperand lower surface .portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly and said inner and outer surface portions being inclined radially outwardly and upwardly whereby said lock washer .assumes a generally conical configuration whensaid end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, and

means on one of. said members engageable with one of said surface portions .of said lock washer for limiting radially outward expansion thereof as said head portion of said second member is moved toward said first-member.

7. An assembly as defined in .claim 6 wherein said means on one of said members for limiting radially outward expansion ofsaid lock washer comprises a counterbore on said first member arranged coaxially of said aperture and adapted .to engage said outer surface portion of said lockwasheras said-head portion of said second member is moved towardsaidfirst. member.

8. An assembly .as definedin claim 7 wherein said radially spacedinner and outer surface portions are arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular-shaped in transverse section.

9. An assembly as definedinclaim 6 wherein said means for limiting radially outward expansion of said lock washer comprises a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion formed on the lower side of said head portion and adapted to contiguously engage said upper surface portion of said lock washer as said head portion of said second member is moved toward said first member.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the underside of. said head portion defines a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said head portion when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, wherein said inner and outer surfaceportions assume a substantially cylinplementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said head portion when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said head portion cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said second member is moved toward said first member.

11. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated cylindrical shank section terminating at one end in an enlarged head section, the underside of said head section defining a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, and wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer and said underside of said head section are complementary in shape and contiguously engageable to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said head section of said bolt is moved axially toward said first member.

12. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably secured on said shank portion of said second member, said nut having a lower surface portion inclined radially'outwa'rdly and downwardly at substantially the same angle of said upper surface portion of said lock washer when said lock washer is in a substantially stressed condition.

.13. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated cylindrical shank section terminating at one end in an enlarged head section, the underside of said head section defining a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said head section when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, and wherein said inner and outer surface portions assume a substantially cylindrical configuration parallel to said lock washer axis and said upper surface portion assumes an angle complementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said head section when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said head section cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said head section of said bolt is moved toward said first member.

14. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably secured to said shank portion of said second member, said nut having a lower surface portion inclined radially outwardly and downwardly, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said nut when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, and wherein said inner and outer surface portions assume a substantially cylindrical configuration parallel to said lock washer axis and said uppersurface portion assumes an angle complementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said nut when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper. surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said nut cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said nut is moved toward said first member.

15. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated shank section temiinating at oneend in an enlarged head section, and wherein the inner diameter of said lock washer is slightly smaller than the diameter of said shank section whereby said lock washer is clampingly engaged with the outer periphery of said shank section 1 when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, with the inner diameter of said lock washer being slightly greater than the diameter of said shank section when said lock washer is in a stressedcondition.

16. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said shank portion of said second member comprises a stud member and wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably received on said stud member, the underside of said nut being formed with an axially extending cylindrical surface portion and with a radially inwardly and upwardly inclined surface portion, said surface portions of said nut defining an annular recess around the underside thereof, and wherein the innerdiameter of said lock washer is slightly greater than the diameter of said extending annular recess at the radially innermost portion thereof, and wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer is provided with an axially extending annular shoulder portion complementary to and engageable with said recess in said head portion for preventing said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said head portion is moved axially toward said first member. a

18. A lock washer comprising a length of formed into a helical configuration,

said lock washer being formed with a generally radially directed slit -at a predetermined angle away from the axis ofsaid lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition, said lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions inclined radially outwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of said lock washer, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions joining the axial extremities of said inner and outer surfaces, said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed and partially stressed condition, whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, adjacent ones of said surface portions forming two acute angles and two obtuse angles.

wire

19. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.

20. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.

21. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater than that of said lower surface portion, said upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said inner surface portion and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion.

22. In combination in an assembly for fastening first and second members together wherein said first member has means defining a threaded aperture,

means on said second member defining an enlarged head portion and a shank portion adapted to be threadably received within said threaded aperture of said first member,

a lock washer carried on said shank portion for interposition between said head portion and said means defining said aperture for limiting relative movement between said members, said lock washer being formed with a radially directed slit at a predetermined angle to axis of said lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition,

said lock washer further having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions and upper and lower surface portions and assuming a generally helical configuration in an unstressed condition with said lock washer resiliently engaging said shank to retain said lock washer portion on said shank portion when said lock washer is unstressed,

said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions being arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular-shaped in transverse section,

said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, and said lock washer being disengaged from said shank portion by radially outward expansion thereof upon predetermined stressing of said lock washer to allow relative rotation between said second member and said lock washer.

23. An assembly as defined in claim 22 further including means on one of said members engageable with one of said surface portions of said lock washer for limiting radially outwardly expansion thereof of said head portion of said member for movement toward said a ss embly as defined in claim 22 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.

25. An assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.

26. An assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater than that of said lower surface portion, said upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said inner surface portion and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion. 

1. A lock washer comprising a length of wire formed into a helical configuration, said lock washer being formed with a generally radially directed slit at a predetermined angle to the axis of said lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined abuttingly engageable surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition, said lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions inclined radially outwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of said lock washer, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions joining the axial extremities of said inner and outer surfaces, said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed and partially stressed condition, whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment with said inclined surfaces abuttingly engaged, said abuttingly engaged inclined surface causing said end portions to cooperatively rotate upon further stressing to bias said lower surface portion to a position substantially perpendicular to the axis of said lock washer when the same is in a substantially stressed condition.
 2. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.
 3. A lock washer as defined in claim 2 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular shaped in transverse section.
 4. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.
 5. A lock washer as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater than that of said lower surface portion, saId upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said inner surface portion and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion.
 6. In combination in an assembly for fastening first and second members together, means on said first member defining a threaded aperture, means on said second member defining an enlarged head portion and a shank portion adapted to be threadably received within said aperture, a lock washer interposed between said head portion and said means defining said aperture for limiting relative movement between said members, said lock washer being formed with a generally radially directed slit at a predetermined angle to the axis of said lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition, said lock washer further having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions and upper and lower surface portions and assuming a generally helical configuration in an unstressed condition, said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly and said inner and outer surface portions being inclined radially outwardly and upwardly whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, and means on one of said members engageable with one of said surface portions of said lock washer for limiting radially outward expansion thereof as said head portion of said second member is moved toward said first member.
 7. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said means on one of said members for limiting radially outward expansion of said lock washer comprises a counterbore on said first member arranged coaxially of said aperture and adapted to engage said outer surface portion of said lock washer as said head portion of said second member is moved toward said first member.
 8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular-shaped in transverse section.
 9. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for limiting radially outward expansion of said lock washer comprises a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion formed on the lower side of said head portion and adapted to contiguously engage said upper surface portion of said lock washer as said head portion of said second member is moved toward said first member.
 10. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the underside of said head portion defines a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said head portion when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, wherein said inner and outer surface portions assume a substantially cylindrical configuration parallel to said lock washer axis, and said upper surface portion assumes an angle complementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said head portion when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said head portion cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said second member is moved toward said first member.
 11. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated cylindrical shank section terminating at one end in an enlarged head section, the underside of said head section defining a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, and wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer and said underside of said head section are complementary in shape and contiguously engageable to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when saId head section of said bolt is moved axially toward said first member.
 12. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably secured on said shank portion of said second member, said nut having a lower surface portion inclined radially outwardly and downwardly at substantially the same angle of said upper surface portion of said lock washer when said lock washer is in a substantially stressed condition.
 13. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated cylindrical shank section terminating at one end in an enlarged head section, the underside of said head section defining a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface portion, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said head section when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, and wherein said inner and outer surface portions assume a substantially cylindrical configuration parallel to said lock washer axis and said upper surface portion assumes an angle complementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said head section when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said head section cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said head section of said bolt is moved toward said first member.
 14. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably secured to said shank portion of said second member, said nut having a lower surface portion inclined radially outwardly and downwardly, wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer extends at a relatively acute angle to said inclined surface portion on said nut when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, and wherein said inner and outer surface portions assume a substantially cylindrical configuration parallel to said lock washer axis and said upper surface portion assumes an angle complementary to that of said inclined surface portion on said nut when said lock washer is in a stressed condition, said upper surface portion and said inclined surface portion on said nut cooperating to prevent said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said nut is moved toward said first member.
 15. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a bolt having an elongated shank section terminating at one end in an enlarged head section, and wherein the inner diameter of said lock washer is slightly smaller than the diameter of said shank section whereby said lock washer is clampingly engaged with the outer periphery of said shank section when said lock washer is in an unstressed condition, with the inner diameter of said lock washer being slightly greater than the diameter of said shank section when said lock washer is in a stressed condition.
 16. An assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said shank portion of said second member comprises a stud member and wherein said head portion of said second member comprises a nut adapted to be threadably received on said stud member, the underside of said nut being formed with an axially extending cylindrical surface portion and with a radially inwardly and upwardly inclined surface portion, said surface portions of said nut defining an annular recess around the underside thereof, and wherein the inner diameter of said lock washer is slightly greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surface portion, said upper surface portion of said lock washer being complementary to said radially inwardly and upwardly inclined surface portion of said nut, and which includes a radially outwardly flared portion on the lower end of said nut for maintaining said lock washer in a partially stressed condition wherein said end portions thereof are substantially axially aligned.
 17. An assembly as Defined in claim 6 wherein the underside of said head portion is formed with a radially extending surface portion defining an axially upwardly extending annular recess at the radially innermost portion thereof, and wherein said upper surface portion of said lock washer is provided with an axially extending annular shoulder portion complementary to and engageable with said recess in said head portion for preventing said lock washer from deforming radially outwardly when said head portion is moved axially toward said first member.
 18. A lock washer comprising a length of wire formed into a helical configuration, said lock washer being formed with a generally radially directed slit at a predetermined angle away from the axis of said lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition, said lock washer having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions inclined radially outwardly and upwardly relative to the axis of said lock washer, and axially spaced upper and lower surface portions joining the axial extremities of said inner and outer surfaces, said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed and partially stressed condition, whereby said lock washer assumes a generally conical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, adjacent ones of said surface portions forming two acute angles and two obtuse angles.
 19. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.
 20. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.
 21. A lock washer as defined in claim 18 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater than that of said lower surface portion, said upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said inner surface portion and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion.
 22. In combination in an assembly for fastening first and second members together wherein said first member has means defining a threaded aperture, means on said second member defining an enlarged head portion and a shank portion adapted to be threadably received within said threaded aperture of said first member, a lock washer carried on said shank portion for interposition between said head portion and said means defining said aperture for limiting relative movement between said members, said lock washer being formed with a radially directed slit at a predetermined angle to axis of said lock washer, whereby the end portions of said lock washer define inclined surfaces which are axially offset when said lock washer is in a substantially unstressed condition, said lock washer further having radially spaced inner and outer surface portions and upper and lower surface portions and assuming a generally helical configuration in an unstressed condition with said lock washer resiliently engaging said shank to retain said lock washer portion on said shank portion when said lock washer is unstressed, said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions being arranged substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surface portions, whereby said lock washer is substantially rectangular-shaped in transverse section, said upper and lower surface portions being inclined radially inwardly and upwardly whereby said lock washer assumes a generally coNical configuration when said end portions thereof are biased into substantial axial alignment, and said lock washer being disengaged from said shank portion by radially outward expansion thereof upon predetermined stressing of said lock washer to allow relative rotation between said second member and said lock washer.
 23. An assembly as defined in claim 22 further including means on one of said members engageable with one of said surface portions of said lock washer for limiting radially outwardly expansion thereof of said head portion of said member for movement toward said first member.
 24. An assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are parallel, whereby said lock washer is generally parallelogram-shaped in transverse section.
 25. An assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said radially spaced inner and outer surface portions are substantially parallel and said upper and lower surface portions are substantially non-parallel, whereby said lock washer is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in transverse section.
 26. An assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said upper and lower surface portions are inclined radially inwardly and upwardly toward the axis of said lock washer, with the angle of said upper surface portion being greater than that of said lower surface portion, said upper and lower surface portions each forming acute angles with said inner surface portion and obtuse angles with said outer surface portion. 